Swapping a daily glass of wine for a slightly weaker alternative could be enough to lower the risk of some cancers, a charity suggests.
Studies suggest that people who drink wine with an alcohol content of 10% rather than 14% might benefit, says the World Cancer Research Fund.
The charity called for more low-alcohol wines and beers to be available for sale.
An industry expert said UK consumers were asking for "lighter" wines.
The calculation was based on figures in a 2007 report which looked at the evidence for a link between alcohol consumption and cancer.
That report recommended that men should have no more than two drinks a day, and women no more than one.
Dr Rachel Thompson, science programme manager for WCRF, said: "From a cancer prevention point of view it is best not to drink at all.
"But we have to be realistic, and the fact is that many people in the UK enjoy a drink and see it as part of their social life.
"Making this change might seem quite minor to do, but it could have a real impact on cancer risk.
"If everyone who drinks 14% wine at the moment switched to lower-alcohol wine tomorrow, for example, it is likely hundreds of cancer cases in the UK a year could be prevented."
She said that while it was possible to find weaker alternatives, most wines still had a strength of 13% or 14%, and called on retailers to make more weaker wines available.
Over 30's Top Health Tip: Buying 'light' wines can be as costly as buying stronger wines and the following tip will save you lots of money over a year while allowing you to enjoy a healthier lighter wine.
To make an instant light red wine:
Add 90ml of pure black or red grape juice to an empty wine bottle or decanter and then add 90ml of still spring water. Top-up with your favourite red wine (520ml) and shake lightly but thoroughly turning the bottle upside down. This works best with wines at 12% vol and above and will reduce the strength of the wine by a 1/4 and make it more fruity and delicious.
e.g. 14% volume wines will be reduced to 10.5%
Monday, 18 January 2010
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Natural Cures in Your Kitchen Cupboard
Drinking a cup of grean tea every day can cut the risk of cancer, even in smokers, says new research.
The antioxidants found in the drink may help protect against the damage to DNA that triggers the disease.
Green tea is just one of the cures that could be lurking in your kitchen. From the common cold to fighting asthma, everyday foods like yoghurt and honey could save you a trip to the chemist.
Here is our guide to the cures in your cupboards.
SALT
At the first sign of a sore throat, gargle with salt water. It has powerful anti-bacterial properties and will help increase the blood flow in the affected area.
PEPPER
Black pepper is effective against cancer. It contains piperine and inhibits some pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by tumour cells. By doing this, it interferes with signalling mechanisms between cancer cells, reducing the chances of tumour progression.
CIDER VINEGAR
This is good for treating colds, flu, headaches, digestion problems and insect bites. When you are coming down with a cold, your body's alkaline level is unstable. Drinking apple cider vinegar will rebalance the acid level. Add apple cider vinegar to a glass of water, making it as strong as you can tolerate. Gargle and swallow twice a day. Cider vinegar attacks streptococcus bacteria as well as adding extra potassium to your body.
YOGHURT
Several scientific studies have shown that by eating just six ounces of yoghurt a day you can help prevent colds and significantly reduce hay fever symptoms. The yoghurt must contain live cultures of lactobacillus bulgarius of bifido-bacteria, which most common varieties in the supermarket have.
GARLIC
Garlic not only makes a lot of dishes taste better - it also boosts the immune system, helping us fight cold and flu bugs.
OREGANO
Oil of oregano has powerful antiseptic powers. It also inhibits the growth of many bacteria. In one test, oregano killed every germ against which it was tested including sameonella, E-coli, listeria.
BANANAS
With their powerful anti-viral properties, bananas can get rid of veruccas. Put a small piece of banana skin over the affected area and leave it on overnight. The processs might have to be repeated.
ORANGES
The skin of citrus fruits contain a cancer-beating substance known as citrus limonoids.
HONEY
Honey is good for the skin and can help beat signs of ageing. It is an anti-bacterial and antifungal agent, and helps the healing process in wounds, scrapes and burns. Its powerful antioxidants fight free radicals and reverse ageing.
PARSLEY
Animal studies have shown that parsley can inhibit the formation of cancerous tumours, mainly in the lungs. Parsley is also a rich source of antioxidants and heart-protective nutrients.
TURMERIC
If you like making curry and have this in your spice rack, you will be protecting yourself against a variety of diseases including cystic fibrosis, cancer and Alzheimer's. Curcumin, which gives turmeric its bright yellow colour, is a potent anti-inflammatory, and turmeric has been found to be helpful in fighting bowel disease.
COFFEE
Last year, researchers found that coffee drinkers were 50 per cent less likely to get liver cancer than non-drinkers. Studies have found ties to lower rates of colon, breast and rectal cancers. Coffee seems to protect men against Parkinson's disease.
CHOCOLATE
Dark chocolate, with at least 70 per cent cocoa, could help in the fight against cancer. It is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols which slow the growth of harmful cells.
TOMATO SAUCE
Ketchup is high in lycopene which can help protect against prostate cancer. Along with carrots, beetroot and apricots, tomatoes are high in carotenoids that can help combat brain tumours.
PORRIDGE
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the anti-inflammatory compounds in porridge oats can help conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Fill a sock with porridge oats and place in water for 20 minutes while bathing. Porridge is high in Vitamin B6, which promotes the brain chemical serotonin. High levels of serotonin are associated with feelings of well-being and also aid relaxation and restful sleep.
Further Information: UK ... US
The antioxidants found in the drink may help protect against the damage to DNA that triggers the disease.
Green tea is just one of the cures that could be lurking in your kitchen. From the common cold to fighting asthma, everyday foods like yoghurt and honey could save you a trip to the chemist.
Here is our guide to the cures in your cupboards.
SALT
At the first sign of a sore throat, gargle with salt water. It has powerful anti-bacterial properties and will help increase the blood flow in the affected area.
PEPPER
Black pepper is effective against cancer. It contains piperine and inhibits some pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by tumour cells. By doing this, it interferes with signalling mechanisms between cancer cells, reducing the chances of tumour progression.
CIDER VINEGAR
This is good for treating colds, flu, headaches, digestion problems and insect bites. When you are coming down with a cold, your body's alkaline level is unstable. Drinking apple cider vinegar will rebalance the acid level. Add apple cider vinegar to a glass of water, making it as strong as you can tolerate. Gargle and swallow twice a day. Cider vinegar attacks streptococcus bacteria as well as adding extra potassium to your body.
YOGHURT
Several scientific studies have shown that by eating just six ounces of yoghurt a day you can help prevent colds and significantly reduce hay fever symptoms. The yoghurt must contain live cultures of lactobacillus bulgarius of bifido-bacteria, which most common varieties in the supermarket have.
GARLIC
Garlic not only makes a lot of dishes taste better - it also boosts the immune system, helping us fight cold and flu bugs.
OREGANO
Oil of oregano has powerful antiseptic powers. It also inhibits the growth of many bacteria. In one test, oregano killed every germ against which it was tested including sameonella, E-coli, listeria.
BANANAS
With their powerful anti-viral properties, bananas can get rid of veruccas. Put a small piece of banana skin over the affected area and leave it on overnight. The processs might have to be repeated.
ORANGES
The skin of citrus fruits contain a cancer-beating substance known as citrus limonoids.
HONEY
Honey is good for the skin and can help beat signs of ageing. It is an anti-bacterial and antifungal agent, and helps the healing process in wounds, scrapes and burns. Its powerful antioxidants fight free radicals and reverse ageing.
PARSLEY
Animal studies have shown that parsley can inhibit the formation of cancerous tumours, mainly in the lungs. Parsley is also a rich source of antioxidants and heart-protective nutrients.
TURMERIC
If you like making curry and have this in your spice rack, you will be protecting yourself against a variety of diseases including cystic fibrosis, cancer and Alzheimer's. Curcumin, which gives turmeric its bright yellow colour, is a potent anti-inflammatory, and turmeric has been found to be helpful in fighting bowel disease.
COFFEE
Last year, researchers found that coffee drinkers were 50 per cent less likely to get liver cancer than non-drinkers. Studies have found ties to lower rates of colon, breast and rectal cancers. Coffee seems to protect men against Parkinson's disease.
CHOCOLATE
Dark chocolate, with at least 70 per cent cocoa, could help in the fight against cancer. It is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols which slow the growth of harmful cells.
TOMATO SAUCE
Ketchup is high in lycopene which can help protect against prostate cancer. Along with carrots, beetroot and apricots, tomatoes are high in carotenoids that can help combat brain tumours.
PORRIDGE
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the anti-inflammatory compounds in porridge oats can help conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Fill a sock with porridge oats and place in water for 20 minutes while bathing. Porridge is high in Vitamin B6, which promotes the brain chemical serotonin. High levels of serotonin are associated with feelings of well-being and also aid relaxation and restful sleep.
Further Information: UK ... US
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